Cleveland County gives those with warrants a chance for a clean slate

Program to begin Thursday

The Cleveland County Sheriff, Joe Lester, is lauding a program he says is dedicated to clearing thousands of warrants.

Operation Clean Slate begins Thursday in Cleveland County. The program gives citizens a chance to appear at a court docket dedicated to setting up new payment plans.

Citizens who have a warrant out for their arrest after failing to pay fines or court costs will have a chance to take care of the matter without the fear of arrest. Special District Judge Steve Stice said he will not be waiving any of these fines and costs, but will recall the warrants and allow these defendants to make new payment plans.

“The judges of Cleveland County expect these fines and costs to be paid,” Stice said. “The reality of the situation, however, is that these warrants sometimes discourage payments. Defendants are afraid to come to the courthouse. They are afraid to seek employment knowing they have an active bench warrant. This is an excellent opportunity for these defendants to have a clean start on paying these obligations with the peace of mind of knowing there is no longer a warrant hanging out there.”

The program begins Thursday and runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Operation Clean Slate will also be in effect from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 16 and 1 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 29.

Those who participate must visit Judge Stice’s courtroom on the fourth floor at the Cleveland County Building at 201 South Jones Avenue. Representatives will be available from the court clerk’s office, sheriff’s office and Judge Stice’s office.

Lester estimates this program will clear a large amount of the 5,000 outstanding costs warrants.

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